UPCOMING EVENTS

Autumn Series 2014 – Public Lectures

A series of three public lectures are to be held during October and November 2014 in the University of Gent, Blandijn 2, to consider and converse on the subject of the United States changing political relationship with other parts of the World. As our globalized ‘international community’ adjusts to subtle but substantive economic realignments Washington is also having to re-evaluate priorities and processes within foreign affairs. We will contest that this is not just a change in style that reflects President Obama’s own particular preferences but a structural and systemic rethink brought on by changing domestic imperatives and the unpredictability of growing overseas challenges.

Lecture I                                                 

United States, Russia and China              

On the face of it these three nation-states act out their continuing political and economic contest as though the Cold War was still in play. We will look at what has fundamentally changed since the deconstruction of the Berlin Wall. Moreover, as the US looks to re-prioritise its regional overseas objectives, how will Washington deal with a more assertive China and a more demanding Japan?        

Lecture 2

United States, the EU and the rest of Europe

There is little doubt that during the post- Cold War era relations between Brussels and Washington have changed. Moreover, the United States continuing reliance on bilateral relationships with other European nation-states has caused friction and a growing weariness inside the EU. How strong is the US/EU partnership ? As both now spend more time looking towards Asia and the Far East as opposed to each other , how has this altered the relationship between the Old and New World?       

Lecture 3

United States and the Middle East

Wherever you look in this region political, religious, economic tensions abound. Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Egypt seem to have our attention at present. However, Pakistan and the effects of western withdrawal from Afghanistan could be Washington’s next priority. The fallout from the Ukraine and impact this might have over the Iran nuclear agreements and the on- going civil war in Syria due to the added Russian dimension seems a growing concern. The Israel/Palestinian situation continues to frustrate, infuriate and calcify. We will consider where the US goes next in this region as seemingly its policy continues its confusing path towards ever ‘decreasing circles’.

The precise dates, time and location of these lectures will be announced in due course.

Any queries or questions on these lectures please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Professor. Dr. J Ken Kennard    ken.kennard@ugent.be   32 (0) 9 264 4056